Majid al-Mansouri

Position: Secretary general, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (Ead)

Biography: Majid al-Mansouri began his career in 1994 with Adnoc, becoming a senior environmental engineer in 1997. In 1999, he joined the Environmental Research & Wildlife Development Agency, now called Ead, as assistant secretary general for finance and administration, prior to taking up his current post as secretary general. Al-Mansouri is chairman of government bodies including the fisheries management committee and the management committee for the Abu Dhabi Global Environment data initiative. In line with his Ead role, Al-Mansouri is chairman of the environmental education and awareness committee for Abu Dhabi and has played a leading role in UAE wildlife conservation projects. Born in 1967, Al-Mansouri holds a BSc in urban planning from the US’ Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University of Huntsville in Alabama.

Contact Tel: (+971) 2445 4777

Nasser Ahmed Khalifa al-Sowaidi

Position: Chairman, Department of Planning & Economy (DPE)

Biography: Nasser Ahmed Khalifa al-Sowaidi is chairman of the DPE, the government department responsible for the restructuring and diversification of the UAE economy. Al-Sowaidi is also a member of the Executive Council of the Abu Dhabi government, which assists the UAE president in carrying out his duties. He is chairman of the Abu Dhabi Securities Market, Abu Dhabi Ports Company and vice-chairman of real estate developer Aldar. Al-Sowaidi serves as a board member for state-owned Mubadala Development Company, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and International Petroleum Investment Company. Before joining the DPE, Al-Sowaidi led Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (Adnoc) directorate in charge of the upstream sector. He holds a degree in economics from California State Polytechnic University in the US.

Contact Tel: (+971) 2403 1111

Waleed Ahmed al-Mokarrab al-Muhairi

Position: Director general, Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (Adced)

Biography: Waleed Ahmed al-Mokarrab al-Muhairi was appointed director general of Adced when the body was formed in 2006. Al-Muhairi is also chief operating officer of state-owned investment company Mubadala, overseeing the firm’s international acquisitions across a broad range of sectors including energy, industry, infrastructure, healthcare, aerospace, technology and real estate. Prior to joining Mubadala, Al-Muhairi worked with the UAE Offsets Group as a senior projects manager. He has worked as a consultant for the US’ McKinsey & Company, advising on a range of industrial and government projects. He serves on the board of directors of the local Oasis International Leasing Company. Waleed holds a BSc from Georgetown University in Washington and a Master’s degree from Harvard University, also in the US.

Contact Tel: (+971) 2691 3300

Falah al-Ahbabi

Position: General manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council

Biography: Falah al-Ahbabi is responsible for the implementation of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, the emirate’s masterplan for the future, which was published in September 2007. The Urban Planning Council (UPC) is the government agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environments. Al-Ahbabi is the spokesman who has presented the emirate’s plans to the world. The UPC will define the future shape of the emirate, ensuring best practice in planning. Al-Ahbabi is responsible for ensuring the UPC fulfils its role of engaging both the private and public sectors on urban planning matters, as well as overseeing communications between the various government bodies involved in the 2030 masterplan. Before moving to the UPC, Al-Ahbabi worked in the aviation and telecoms industries, working with Mubadala in the establishment of the UAE helicopter academy.

Contact Tel: (+971) 2409 6000

Fahad Saeed al-Raqbani

Position: Deputy director general, Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (Adced)

Biography: Fahad Saeed al-Raqbani joined Adced in June 2008. Since June 2004, he had worked as a general manager in project finance at Mubadala, prior to which he was a project manager at UAE Offsets Group. Al-Raqbani was part of the team that launched the $1.2bn Union Water & Electricity Company desalination and power plant in Fujairah. He was also a key player in the team that put together the $3.45bn construction phase financing for Dolphin Energy. Al-Raqbani is the board member of several companies including Oasis International Leasing Company, Abu Dhabi Terminals, and Mubadala subsidiary Al-Hikma Development Company. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from The American University of Paris and a Master’s degree in finance and risk management from Lille Graduate School of Management, also in France.

Contact Tel: (+971) 2691 3300

Salah Salem bin Omeir al-Shamsi

Position: Chairman, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Biography: Salah Salem bin Omeir al-Shamsi is the chairman of both the UAE Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry. As chairman and managing director of Abu Dhabi holding company Al-Qudra Holding, he is one of the most influential businessmen in the UAE. He worked for 14 years at Adnoc, where he was executive director for the processing directorate. Al-Shamsi is a board member of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and the Abu Dhabi Economic Development Council. He has helped established several Abu Dhabi companies, including Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. Shamsi holds a BSc in civil engineering from North Carolina State University in the US, and a Master’s in business administration from the American University of Sharjah in the UAE.

Contact Tel: (+971) 2621 4000